Patent GB-706948-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in washing machines
IPC: D06F37/40
Filed: 1951-12-21
Abstract: 706,948. Washing and drying machines. CONORD, A. Dec. 21, 1951 [Dec. 28, 1950], No. 30044/51. Class 138 (2) In a washing-machine a basket containing articles to be washed is given a reciprocating helical movement about a vertical axis inside a container for the washing liquid. The basket may also be given a pure rotation in its lowermost position for drying. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show different driving means for the basket. First embodiment (Fig. 2). An electric motor (not shown) drives pulleys 13, 14 in opposite directions by means of belts 11, 12 respectively. Pulleys 13, 14 are loose on a shaft 15 to which either pulley may be drivingly connected by a sleeve 16 having clutch cones 19, 20 adapted to engage cones 21, 22 on the pulleys 13, 14 respectively. The sleeve 16 engages splines 17 on the shaft 15 and is movable up and down by a lever 18. Shaft 15 has a screw-threaded extension 23 carrying a nut 24 fast with a shaft 3 carrying the basket (not shown). A roller 29 rotatably mounted on a pin 30 in the nut 24 engages in a helical groove 28 in a sleeve 26 rotatable on bearings 27 in a casing 25. For washing, the lever 18 is caused to oscillate so that the screw 23 is rotated first in one direction and then in the other. A pin 32 is in the position shown in full lines and prevents the sleeve 26 from rotating, with the result that the roller 29, nut 24, shaft 3 and basket are given a reciprocating helical movement. For drying, the pin 32 is retracted and the lever 18 secured in one or other of its extreme positions. The shaft 3 and basket are -then rotated continuously without rising or falling. The lever 18 may be oscillated by means of a motor which is periodically reversed by a timing device or by means of buttons operated by the basket near the two ends of its travel, and acting on a rod 33 pivoted to the lever 18. Second embodiment (Fig. 3). A motor 4 drives an oil pump 35 connected by supply and return pipes 36, 38 to a distributer 37 which delivers oil alternately to opposite sides of a piston 41 in a cylinder 42 having ports 40, 40A. The piston rod 43 is thus given an up and down movement which it imparts to a coupling member 44 rotatably supporting the basket shaft 3. A roller 47 engaging in a helical groove 46 in a sleeve 45 fast with the shaft 3 transforms this up and down movement into a reciprocating helical motion. Reversal of the distributer 37 is effected by a rod 37A and means are provided for rendering the distributer ineffective and returning the oil under pressure through a valve to the pump. Under these conditions the shaft 3 can descend sufficiently to bring a clutch cone 59 keyed to it into engagement with a clutch cone 58 carried by a pulley 57. Pulley 57 is rotated freely on shaft 3 by a belt drive 56 from the motor 4 and when the clutch is engaged, the basket is rotated unidirectionally for spin drying. Third embodiment (Fig. 4). A pulley 57 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and a cylinder 42 is supplied with oil through ports 40, 40A by a distributer as in Fig. 3. Cylinder 42 contains a piston 60 formed with two helical grooves 63 engaged by balls or rollers 64. A piston rod 66 carries dog clutch teeth 68 engageable with corresponding teeth 69 on a ring 70 which may slide without turning on the shaft 3 between two positions defined by a slot 103 and pin 104. A clutch cone 71 secured to the ring 70 can engage a clutch cone 58 on the pulley 57. A spring 79 bearing on a ring 105 pinned to the shaft 3 presses teeth 68, 69 into engagement. Shaft 3 is capable of turning without sliding with respect to the rod 66. During washing, the shaft 3, rod 66, clutch 68, 69 and ring 70 rise and fall as a unit, sliding relatively to washers 73, 74 which remain stationary since washer 74 is held by a flange on a coyer 111. For drying, the distributer control (not shown) is held so that the piston 60 moves down further than the normal lower limit of its travel. Shaft 3 moves down, compressing spring 79 and bringing the edge of a cup member 76 to bear on the ring 70. Clutch teeth 68 are moved out of engagement with teeth 69 and then the cup 76 moves the ring 70 downwardly, compressing a spring 72 and causing engagement between clutch cones 71, 58 so that shaft 3 is driven by pulley 57. In a still further example (not shown) the basket is driven by a motor whose rotation is reversed by an electrical reversing switch.